Springboks Damian de Allende, Lwazi Mvovo and Malcolm Marx were released by thenational team on Monday and will be available for Currie Cup selection for this coming weekend.
De Allende returns to the DHL Western Province, Mvovo goes back to the Cell C Sharks while Marx, who made his Springbok debut as a second half replacement against the All Blacks two weeks ago in Christchurch, joins the Xerox Golden Lions.
The three players will join their provincial training teams on Tuesday morning after it was decided to release them earlier than normal, because of the short training week for their Currie Cup teams.
Meanwhile, the Springboks returned to the training field on Monday with two training sessions at Fourways High School in Johannesburg in preparation for their Castle Lager Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.
Springbok coach Allister Coetzee and Patrick Lambie addressed a lunchtime media gathering at their team hotel in Fourways.
Coetzee confirmed that the full squad of 31 players reported for national duty without any injuries. Experienced wing Bryan Habana sat out the morning session because of a stomach bug, but was back on the training field during the afternoon session.
“There’s a good, positive energy in the camp and I am happy to confirm that all 31 players are injury free,†said Coetzee. “I am especially pleased to welcome Patrick Lambie back who has returned to full fitness. He really looked great and full of confidence (during the morning session).â€
The Springbok coach was equally pleased for the return of fullback Willie le Roux, lock Lood de Jager and prop Julian Redelinghuys.
Lambie last played for the Springboks in the Castle Lager Incoming Test Series opener against Ireland in Cape Town in June. He left the field with concussion and after spending time recovering, he then made an appearance for the Cell C Sharks two weeks ago in the Currie Cup.
“I’m delighted to be back in the Springbok fold, it’s always a huge honour to be called up to the Boks,†said Lambie.
Coetzee will name his match-23 on Thursday.
